Q & A with Jersey Shore Guidebook Author Jen Miller

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So, she’s not exactly a traveling “mama” (though she is mom to Emily, her Jack Russell Terrier), but Jen Miller is a cool traveling chick. She’s the author of the just-published, chock-full-of-info, 320-page guidebook The Jersey Shore: Atlantic City to Cape May.

While my plans don’t call for travel to the Jersey Shore anytime soon, I thought some East Coast readers may be heading to the popular vacation locale this summer. I asked Jen about some of her recommended top spots for families, couples and girlfriend getaways.

1. For those of us who don’t know much about the Jersey Shore, can you give us a primer?

The Jersey Shore was the vacation spot for New Yorkers and Philadelphians before middle-class families could afford air travel, air-conditioning and home pools. Since the Shore is a few degrees cooler, and you can swim in the ocean, it was the perfect place to escape the heat of the city — and it was only a train ride away.

Every shore town is different — Atlantic City is obviously not the romantic Victorian getaway that is Cape May. But that’s some of the appeal. Within driving distance, you can go from the blackjack table to a sleepy shore town to a whale watching trip. There’s so much to do!

2. Before researching your guidebook, how much time did you spend at the Shore?

I have spent every summer since I was born at the shore — literally. I was born in July and on the beach in August. My family had a trailer — yes, a trailer — in Avalon Campground, which is about 15 minutes away from the beach. It was much more affordable than paying for a shore house, and the campground gave us things to do (e.g. get out of my mom’s hair), like go to the pool, ride bikes in the woods or go to campground sponsored events like dances and bingo.

3. It’s common for twenty-something NYC residents to have “shares” at the Shore–with, say, a dozen people renting one house and taking turns using it on the weekends. Is there an area where this is particularly popular?

This is exactly what I did last summer. I knew I wouldn’t want to keep driving an hour back and forth from my house to the shore, so I joined in with about a dozen people in a shore house in Avalon. This is popular at a lot of spots along the shore — Belmar, Long Beach Island, Avalon, Sea Isle and the Wildwoods. It’s almost a rite of passage, and can be exhausting. I was trying to write my book and enjoy late nights on weekends. I was quite sleep deprived!

4. Say I want to bring my young children for a week-long stay — what’s the best area for families?

The Wildwoods has by far the most rides — more even than Disneyland. Plus it’s a short drive away from Cape May, which has a lot of nature stuff if your kids like that. You can visit a working alpaca farm at Bay Springs in Cape May; go to a kids-customized program at the Cape May Nature Center and go whale watching. Ocean City is another family-friendly town — it’s no alcohol allowed, period. You can’t even BYOB, but that’s why a lot of people like it. Its boardwalk was also rated as one of the best in the country by the Travel Channel and has two piers filled with rides. You can still try to grab the golden ring on the carousel at Wonderland Pier.

5. Best accommodations for a girlfriend getaway?

AC, baby! The Showboat has a House of Blues Suite that’s unbelievable. If you stay, you also have access to the members-only Foundation Room (I had dinner there last weekend and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had at the shore). Atlantic City is also great for a girlfriend getaway because you won’t really have to drive anywhere, and it’s just a short cab ride to the pool at Harrah’s (which is a nightclub with a pool in the middle) or the knock-out clubs at the Borgata. Atlantic City is also full of top-notch spas, liked Blue Mercury at the Quarter at the Tropicana. Even if clubbing isn’t your thing, there’s always shows in Atlantic City. Fun times for the girls!

6. How about a top romantic restaurant?

The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia in Cape May. Cape May is very family friendly, but it’s also the most year-round shore town I found after Atlantic City. Why? Because it caters to couples. It’s chock full of cozy B&Bs and romantic restaurants, like the Ebbitt Room. Cape May’s also the third most popular destination wedding spot in the country — I can see why! Heck, my dad’s even getting married there in May!

7. Say I’m on a budget. Any Shore money-saving tips?

If you can finagle it, go in June or September. The weather is still good, but you won’t deal with the mad rush — or price increases — of July in August. If you can only go in those two months, ask about discounts wherever you’re staying. You might get freebies thrown in. And always stop by the town’s chamber of commerce or visitor’s center. Most towns create coupon books where you get everything from meal discounts to free rides on a Ferris wheel.

8. What if I had a ton of money to blow, and want to do the Shore right. How would I spend my dough on a luxury Shore vacation?

Two options — Atlantic City or Cape May. I said a little about how much you can spend in AC already, but I didn’t mention anything about the shopping. Oh, the shopping! Atlantic City is home to the Pier at Caesars, which is luxury shopping at its finest — Tiffany’s, Louis Vuitton, Burberry. You want it, they got it.

For the ultimately luxe experience in Cape May, book a room at Congress Hall. Congress Hall is a beautiful gorgeous old building that was recently refurbished to high style while keeping its vintage appeal. Sit by the pool and sip drinks and order food — heck, you can even sit on the beach and they’ll serve you (but not alcohol because that’s illegal in New Jersey). Then head off for dinner at the Ebbitt Room or the Washington Inn, followed up by drinks at Martini Beach overlooking the water. It’s not as go go go as Atlantic City, but that’s what some people want, especially down the shore.

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April 12, 2008 | Filed Under Budget Travel, Family Travel, Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Romantic Getaways, The Cookie Jar 

Comments

6 Responses to “Q & A with Jersey Shore Guidebook Author Jen Miller”

  1. DesertMama says:
    April 12, 2008 at

    Thank, Jen! What great information. I lived in Toms River for about a year when I was twenty-something and kid-free. I read so many books on the shore that summer.

  2. Kinsey says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    With your recent review of the Jersey Shore Guide Book I thought you might be interested in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s popular Images of America Series! The book includes over 200 vintage photographs featuring the heyday of the seaside resort town. If you’re interested, just forward me your mailing address and I’d be happy to send you a copy to review on this website.

    Thank you for your interest and support!

    Best,

    Kinsey
    Publicity Manager
    http://www.arcadiapublishing.com

  3. Jennifer K. says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    Jen, thank you for recommending Congress Hall, I’m sure I will stay there after looking at their website. I love that you answered the “what if you had a lot of money to blow” question, LOL. Can you answer that for a hotel in Ocean City, too? I’d love to do an upscale week there, but I couldn’t find anything online that looked very nice. If we can’t go there, we’d like to try Wildwood. Any suggestions for an upscale hotel there? Thanks!!

  4. Jen A. Miller says:
    April 14, 2008 at

    Thanks everyone! I was happy to be on the site.

    Kinsey, you can email me at jenmiller27 [at] gmail [dot] com.

    Jennifer, try the Atlantis in Ocean City: http://www.bbonline.com/nj/atlantis/ It’s for sure luxury!

  5. Jennifer K. says:
    April 16, 2008 at

    Jen, you rock! Our summer vacation will be better thanks to you. If you see this, another question…can we “do” Wildwoods from Ocean City, too…stay at the Atlantis and experience both? If not, one last tip? Luxury hotel in Wildwoods? Or is that oxymoronic? :-)

  6. Jen A. Miller says:
    April 16, 2008 at

    Jennifer -

    ABSOLUTELY! The area I covered — Atlantic City to Cape May — is about 45 miles, and Ocean City to Wildwood is 30 miles. Very doable!

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